Device for storing and dispensing a free-flowing substance and method of making and using the device

ABSTRACT

A device can be especially designed for storing and dispensing dental materials. The device comprises a container comprising a first and a second film which form at least one first chamber for receiving a first substance and a recess that is separated from the chamber and serves to remove the first substance. The separation area between the recess and the first chamber is provided with a passage area that can be opened in a selective manner. The first chamber contains at least one additional container.

BACKGROUND AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to a device, in particular for storing anddispensing dental materials, comprising a container with a first foiland a second foil which form at least one first chamber for receiving afirst substance. The device also comprises a pouch which is separatefrom the chamber and which is used for removing the first substance, theseparation between the pouch and the first chamber having a passage areathat can be selectively opened, and the first chamber containing atleast one further receptacle.

In the dental field in particular, it is often necessary to perform alarge number of manual operations in succession and in a coordinatedmanner.

To fill a cavity of a tooth, for example with a plastic filling, aprimer usually has to be applied or blown onto the hard dental substancefirst, followed by a bonding agent, then exposed to light, ifappropriate, before the actual filling can be applied.

While the adhesive substances of primer and bonding agent are usuallypackaged in bottles in liquid form, the filling material is present as ahighly viscous material in screw-cap tubes or is pressed out from whatare known as computes.

The dentist applying a filling thus first has to take the primer andbonding agent in the form of a liquid from one package and then removethe filling material in the form of a highly viscous compound from adifferent package.

The time spent in doing this is not inconsiderable. In addition, theprimer and bonding agent from one manufacturer are often not adapted tothe chemical composition of the filling material from anothermanufacturer, which can result in reduced adhesion values on the tooth.Nor can operating errors be ruled out when opening, dispensing and usingthe substances from the different packages in sequence.

Small quantities of liquid can be stored and applied, for example, usingreceptacles in the form of blister packs. For example, two recessesseparated from one another are provided in the thermoformed part of thepackage closed off by a removable foil. The first recess can contain asmall amount of liquid, and a brush can be placed in the other recess.

WO-96/03326, for example, describes a disposable receptacle which hascavities for storing a medicament and an applicator. Both cavities areprotected from contamination by means of a peelable cover foil. In oneembodiment, by pressing on the cavity containing the medicament, saidmedicament is transferred into the cavity containing the applicator inorder to wet the applicator. It is explained that this is possible onlywhen the cover foil in the transition area between the two cavities isnot bonded to the receptacle. Such a package is not suitable for storingcorrosive liquids.

U.S. Pat. No. 3,835,834 discloses a treatment kit which has two cavitiesin a main body, the cavities containing a care substance on the one handand a swab on the other. The main body containing the care substance andthe swab is protected from contamination by means of a sealing foil.

EP 0 895 943 A discloses a device for storing and dispensing afree-flowing substance, with a container made up of two foils which areconnected to one another to form a chamber for receiving the substanceand a pouch which is separate from the chamber and used for removing thesubstance, the separation between the chamber and the pouch having apassage area that can be selectively opened.

Conventionally used peelable sealing foils are not permanently resistantto aggressive media such as strong acids and dipolar aprotic solventssuch as acetone. Reaction of these media with the foil constituents canresult in delamination of individual foil layers. The storage stabilityof the filled material and its safe application are thus no longerguaranteed.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to make available adevice which avoids these disadvantages.

A further object can be regarded as that of making available a devicewith which it is possible to store different substance classes insideone package and to dispense them, in particular as a mixture.

There is in particular a need for a device with which it is possible tostore individual components of an adhesively acting mixture separatelyand safely in one package and be able to mix them therein.

This object is achieved by a device and by a method for using thedevice, as described in the claims.

The words “comprise” or “include” within the meaning of the inventionprecede a nonexhaustive list of features. The word “one” is to beinterpreted as an indefinite quantity with the meaning of “at leastone”.

The invention has the following advantages:

The presence of a separate receptacle for receiving a substance ensuresthat in the storage state the substance does not come directly intocontact either with the passage area that can be selectively opened orwith the foils forming the chamber.

In this way, damage to the device, in particular, the foils forming thedevice, is made difficult. This permits a longer storage life of thedevice containing the substance.

In this connection, it has proven advantageous to produce the receptacleusing materials which greatly impair or prevent the diffusion ofvolatile substances.

Depending on the material for the receptacle, aggressive substances canin this way also be stored and handled without problems, without havingto forego the advantageous properties of the foils normally used to formthe container.

The term aggressive substances includes both corrosive substances (forexample acid and basic substances) and tacky substances, and alsosolvents with the property of attacking plastics.

By means of the device according to the invention, it is also possible,in particular, to safely store substances which are sensitive toradiation. After the foil forming the container, external radiation nowhas to pass an additional barrier before it can impinge on thesubstance. Radiation here is to be understood as any form of naturallyoccurring or artificially generated radiation. This includes, on the onehand, electromagnetic radiation particularly in the range of 380 to 520nm and, on the other hand, corpuscular radiation, in particular betaradiation.

The device according to the invention also permits unproblematic openingof the chamber by releasing the desired breaking point. The substancewhich can be present in the chamber can then be transferred into thepouch for removal. At the same time, the device according to theinvention can act as a dosing unit for dispensing and applying amountsof substance predetermined by the volume of the chamber.

The device is thus distinguished, in particular, by the fact that, byexerting pressure, a first substance located in a receptacle can betransferred at least partially into a chamber and can be transferredfrom there into a kind of receiving dish via a passage area that can beselectively opened. Depending on the embodiment, the first substance canbe mixed with a second substance before being dispensed or before beingtransferred into the receiving dish.

The receptacle located in the chamber is preferably arranged or placedin the chamber loosely, in particular, not securely bonded.

If appropriate, the device has a plurality of chambers suitable forreceiving substances, which chambers can be connected to one another viapassage areas that can be selectively opened.

If appropriate, the device also has a peelable outer layer area. Thismakes it easy to at least partially remove part of the foil. In thisway, at least one chamber containing one or more substances which may bepresent in separate containers is made visible.

The use of differently configured foils for the outer layer area, on theone hand, and for the foils forming the chamber, on the other hand,permits safe storage of the substances before the device is put to use.

In addition, the substances which are to be mixed are better protectedin the storage state from external influences such as incident light orundesired pressure.

If one of the foils forming the chamber is transparent, it is possible,after removing the peelable outer layer area, to visually monitor themixing procedure and/or the emptying of the chamber. In this way, it ispossible to achieve a more homogeneous mixing result and more completeemptying of the chamber into the pouch.

Depending on the substance to be applied, the inner layer of the foilcoming into contact with the substance to be applied can be adapted tothe properties of the substance. This allows the device to be used tostore a large number of substances which differ in terms of theirreactivity, without having to substantially modify the method forproducing the device.

This embodiment thus allows, for example, dental material to be storedand dispensed safely and in a manner protected from contamination.

If appropriate, a further chamber which cannot be connected to the firstchamber or, if appropriate, second chamber via a passage area that canbe selectively opened is provided on a second portion. This furtherchamber is preferably closed off with a separately peelable cover foilwhich can, if appropriate, be closed again. This permits the storage ofat least one further substance which is normally used in the processingsequence after application of the first substance.

The second portion of the device according to this embodiment can beconnected to the first portion in any way, the aim being to ensure thatwhen the substance is dispensed from the first chamber of the firstportion, it cannot pass into the chamber of the second portion.Consequently, the chambers of the first portion cannot be connected tothe chamber or chambers of the second portion via an openable passagearea. For easier handling of the device, the second portion ispreferably designed so that it can be detached from the first portion. Adesign of the connection piece which permits detachment by manualtearing is particularly expedient. This can be obtained, for example, byperforating the connection piece. However, any other design of theconnection piece between the two portions is also conceivable andpossible, for example by adhesive bonding with a further foil.

Since the substance located in the further chamber of the optionallypresent second portion is usually adapted to the nature of the substancein the other chamber, this reduces the risk of using substances whichare not compatible with the first substance.

The device according to the invention is accordingly characterized inthat substances or components, which cause storage problems, of amixture which is to be produced are made ready within one package, inparticular a disposable package, for dispensing and mixing. Inparticular, for example, three components can be stored separately inthe device: in the first portion of the device, two components which areneeded to prepare an adhesive mixture and, in the second portion, thethird component in the form of a filling material which is adapted interms of its chemical composition to the adhesive mixture.

Depending on the embodiment, the device is thus suitable not only forseparate storage of several components, but also for mixing some of thecomponents and for coordinated dispensing of the mixed components and ofa further component which is adapted thereto and which in terms of itsrheological properties is usually different than the two othercomponents.

It is further ensured that all the substances stored in the device arefilled on the same date, so that incompatibilities of the substances dueto different expiry times can be excluded.

Thus, the device according to this embodiment is on the whole easy tohandle since the first substance, which is located in the first chamber,can first be transferred into the pouch for removal, withoutcomplications and awkward opening of the device. After application ofthe substance from the pouch, a second substance is stored in the samedevice and made ready for application. The second substance, whichusually differs in consistency from the first substance, is stored in achamber which is to be opened in a different way than the first chamber.

The substance located in the first chamber can be dispensed by exertingpressure on the device, without removing a cover layer, whereas a coversheet usually has to be torn off to remove the second substance from thechamber which is present in the second portion.

The device in this embodiment is thus distinguished by the fact that ithas two portions with at least one chamber each for receiving in eachcase one substance, which substances are for their part to be removedfrom the device in different ways, and the individual chambers areopened in different ways.

The second portion of the device according to this embodiment usuallylikewise comprises two foils, usually a first foil in the form of acover foil and a second foil in the form of a thermoformed foil. Thefirst and second foils form a chamber for receiving a substance. Thechamber can be opened in particular by means of the cover foil beingpulled off. For this purpose, the first foil is preferably sealed ontothe second foil in a peelable manner.

The device thus comprises two portions with chambers, which are eachformed by two foils, the foils being connected or sealed to one anotherin different ways, depending on the embodiment.

The first and second foils can be multilayer foils. They have anoptionally peelable outer layer area and an inner layer area.

The foils used are preferably those which have a sufficient diffusiondensity.

Depending on the nature of the substance to be stored, the foils shouldalso be resistant to aggressive substances, for example, corrosivesubstances and/or substances which have solvent properties.

The foil components can be chosen from plastic foils, metal foils andceramic foils.

Examples of suitable plastic foils are: PE, PP, PTFE, PET, PA, PBT, PVC,EVA, PVF (polyvinyl fluoride).

Examples of metal foils are: Al, Sn, Au, Ag, Fe.

Ceramic foils are to be understood as foils which have, for example, anSiOx-containing layer.

The foil can, in principle, have any desired structure and is adapted tothe nature of the substances which are to be stored.

A foil structure has proven expedient which comprises in sequence, fromoutside to inside, PET, Al, PET, PE or PP, Al, PET, PE, if appropriatealso without the PET foil as middle foil.

Adhesive additives can also be present between the foils.

Examples of adhesive additives are: laminating adhesives or extrusionlamination media.

The peelable outer layer area of the first foil which may be present is,preferably, opaque.

The inner layer area of the first foil is, preferably, transparent and,if appropriate, more flexible than the outer layer area.

The sequence, from outside to inside, of PET, Al or PP, Al has provenadvantageous for the outer layer area.

The device comprises a container which has a first foil, for example, inthe form of a cover foil, and a second foil, for example, in the form ofa thermoformed foil, as is used in conventional blister packs.

Except for those areas forming the chambers, the foils are preferablyconnected flat to one another, preferably such that they are securelysealed to one another, except for the passage area that is to beselectively opened.

The first foil can be connected to the second foil, for example, byheat-sealing, cold-sealing, adhesive bonding or ultrasonic welding withsonotrodes.

The device can also be produced in a simple way depending on theembodiment. The areas which can be peeled open can be produced in oneoperation, in particular, by the action of the same energy application,even though these areas are situated on two different portions of thedevice.

A multilayer structure of the first foil and second foil can be obtainedby laminating, calendering, coating of various single-foil layers, ifappropriate also by vapor deposition, for example, with metals.

To ensure that the substances introduced into the device and to beapplied are protected, for example, from incident light, the foils arepreferably configured in such a way that, in an area surrounding thechamber, they are connected to one another by two spaced-apart sealingseams.

The receptacle or receptacles can be produced by the same methods as canbe used to produce the device. The receptacle is, in this case,preferably produced by welding, adhesive bonding or sealing in the edgearea of plastic-containing or metal-containing foils so that acushion-shaped structure is preferably obtained. The foils are connectedin such a way that the receptacle can be opened under the action ofexternal pressure, the aim being that the receptacle should burst openin all directions under the effect of pressure.

The device can, in principle, be of any desired shape, but the shape ispreferably adapted to the nature of the substances stored.

The chamber or chambers are preferably round (circular or oval), but, ifappropriate, also angular (square, rectangular or triangular).

The chambers have volumes which are adapted to their purpose, so that ifused correctly and with a plurality of components to be mixed together,they permit homogeneous mixing. The chamber adjacent to the pouchpreferably has a volume which is suitable for receiving the total amountof substance which is to be mixed or has been mixed.

A chamber has, for example, a diameter of 5 to 20 mm, the dispensinginstrument has a shaft diameter in the range of 2 to 4 mm. The substancevolume which can be applied is usually in the range of a few tenths of amilliliter, preferably in the range of 0.03 to 0.5 ml. Depending on theembodiment, however, the substance volume which can be applied can alsobe a few milliliters, in particular 5 to 10 ml.

The volume of the receptacle is usually in the range of 0.01 to 8 ml,preferably in the range of 0.5 to 5 ml, particularly preferably in therange of 0.01 to 1.0 ml.

The pouch is open to one side and can be designed in such a way that itcan also receive a dispensing instrument in the storage state. With asuitably small diameter of the pouch opening toward the outside, forexample, in the form of a cannula, the pouch itself can also serve as anapplication device.

The separation between the chamber or chambers and the pouch isdesigned, in terms of distance and in terms of the strength of theadhesion, in such a way as to form a desired breaking point.

The passage area is configured in such a way that, in the storage state,it forms a tight closure both with respect to the pouch and also, ifappropriate, with respect to the second chamber.

Such a desired breaking point can be obtained, for example, bycold-sealing, heat-sealing, ultrasonic welding or adhesive bonding. Inthe case of heat-sealing, a different energy application, preferably alower energy application, is provided compared to the other sealedareas. This can be controlled by temperature, pressure and/or holdingtime.

Another possibility is to arrange, between the first and the secondfoils in the area of the desired breaking point, foreign particles whichreduce the adhesion, for example peel foil punches or hot-melt adhesivespots. In this case, firmly sealing foils are preferably used as upperfoil and lower foil.

The application instrument which is optionally present is preferablydesigned like a brush or a swab. An application instrument with aspherical tip bearing brush hairs or bristles has proven expedient.Pipets, cotton rods, sponges or spatulas can also be used as applicationinstrument.

When using an application instrument, it is also expedient if the pouchis sealed off from the outside by the application instrument.

The device is preferably used for storing and dispensing substances, inparticular, small amounts thereof, such as are used, for example, in thedental field.

The device is particularly suitable for storing aggressive and/orphotosensitive substances.

To use the device, the optionally present outer layer area is firstpulled off at least partially until it is possible to see the chamberscontaining the substances to be mixed, which substances can also bepresent in separate receptacles.

Moreover, the two foils in the region of the passage area that is to beselectively opened are designed to be separated from one another so thata connection can be established between the chamber and the pouch.

It is likewise necessary to open the optional receptacle or receptaclescontaining a substance.

This is preferably done by exerting external pressure on the chamber,for example, between the user's thumb and index finger. As a result, thereceptacle or receptacles containing the substance burst open.

If the device has a first chamber and a second chamber which can beconnected to one another via a passage area that is to be selectivelyopened, it is possible, by alternately pressing on the outer layer ofthe chambers containing the substances, to effect an alternating to andfro movement of the substances to be mixed through the selective openingcreated, before the mixed substances are transferred into the pouchadjacent to the chamber.

By kinking the device in the area between the chambers, the passage areaor passage areas to be selectively opened can be closed again. It isthen virtually impossible for the mixed substances to flow back into theother chamber, so that the mixed substances can be transferred into thepouch by exerting pressure on the outer area of the foils forming thechamber.

If the inner layer area of the first foil is transparent, it is possibleto visually monitor the mixing procedure and the emptying from chamberto chamber or into the pouch.

A dispensing instrument which is present in the pouch, or which isintroduced into it only at this time or at a later time, is wetted andcan then be used to apply the released substance.

It is also conceivable for the dispensing instrument to be moved in thedirection toward the chamber in order to free the passage area to beselectively opened and, if appropriate, to open the receptacle orreceptacles located in the chamber. In this way too, the dispensinginstrument is wetted.

If repeated application of the released substance is required, thedispensing instrument can be inserted back into the pouch.

The pouch or the dispensing instrument is preferably designed in such away that, when the dispensing instrument is inserted back into thepouch, wetting of the outer area of the dispensing instrument does nottake place.

This can be achieved, for example, by a channel-like configuration ofthe pouch and by adapting the configuration of the dispensing instrumentto the latter.

It is also conceivable to provide a dish-shaped or cup-shapedconfiguration of the pouch end of the thermoformed foil into which thesubstance is conveyed for repeated wetting of the application instrumentwithout wetting the shaft of the application instrument.

The present invention thus also relates to a method for using thedevice, which method comprises the following steps:

-   -   a) provision of a device as has been described above,    -   b) application of pressure to the first chamber of the first        portion, by which means the receptacle located in this chamber        opens,    -   c) mixing the first substance, emerging from the receptacle in        step b), with a second substance which is located either in the        first chamber outside the receptacle or in a second chamber        which can be connected to the first chamber via a passage area        that can be selectively opened,    -   d) transferring the mixture from step c) into the pouch via the        passage area that can be selectively opened and wetting the        application instrument which can be present in this pouch,    -   e) at least partial removal of the first substance from the        pouch, if appropriate, with the aid of the application        instrument,    -   f) if appropriate, application of the first substance onto a        surface, in particular tissue, particularly preferably hard        dental tissue,    -   g) if appropriate, opening the second chamber of the second        portion by pulling off a cover foil,    -   h) if appropriate, at least partial removal of the second        substance from the second chamber, and    -   i) if appropriate, application of the second substance onto the        site which was previously wetted with the first substance or        came into contact with the first substance.

Prior to activation of the device by opening one of the chambers orreceptacles, the second portion is usually detached from the firstportion of the device in order to facilitate the application of thesubstances which are located in the individual chambers.

The substances to be applied can be free-flowing, if appropriate,kneadable, or can also be present in powder form. The substances arepreferably polymerizable.

Examples of polymerizable substances include photo-polymerizable orradical-polymerizable substances such as acrylic acid, methacrylic acid,maleic acid, both in monomer and polymer form or prepolymerized form,and derivatives thereof.

Free-flowing substances include all liquids and gels commonly used inthe dental field, such as caustic agents, primers and bonding agents andcustomary solvents.

The solvents can be chosen from among both dipolar protic solvents anddipolar aprotic solvents. Examples which can be mentioned are: acetone,DMF, DMSO, alcohols, water.

All restorative and/or prosthetic substances common in the dental field,such as composites, compomers, ormocers, glass ionomer cements, silicatecements, phosphate cements, for example, in pastes or in powder form,can be introduced into the device.

The substances are located preferably in the receptacle or receptacles,if appropriate, in the receptacle or receptacles and at the same time inthe chamber containing the receptacle or receptacles.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows a plan view of the device;

FIG. 2 shows a longitudinal section through the device with a chamberwhich comprises a receptacle;

FIG. 3 shows a longitudinal section through the device with a chamberwhich comprises two receptacles;

FIG. 4 shows a plan view of the device with two chambers;

FIG. 5 shows a longitudinal section through the device with two chambersand one receptacle;

FIG. 6 shows a plan view of the device with three chambers which arearranged on two portions; and

FIG. 7 shows a longitudinal section through the device with twochambers, where a foil has a peelable outer layer area.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The illustrative embodiments shown in the figures are given only asexamples. The individual embodiments can be combined with one another atrandom.

Depending on the intended use, it can be advantageous if the devicealways has a further chamber for receiving a kneadable substance.

However, independently of the number of chambers and/or receptacles inthe chambers, it is also conceivable for the device to always have an atleast partially peelable outer layer area.

FIG. 1 shows the device (1) according to the invention in plan view,with a container which is formed by a first foil (2) and a second foil(3), a chamber (4), a passage area (6) that can be selectively opened,and a pouch (7) in which a dispensing instrument (8) is located.

FIG. 2 shows the device according to the invention in longitudinalsection, with a receptacle (9) which is provided in the chamber andwhich can contain a substance. In addition to the receptacle (9)containing a first substance, the chamber can also contain a furthersubstance which surrounds the receptacle.

In the device shown in longitudinal section in FIG. 3, the chamber (4)contains two receptacles (9, 10) which can contain substances. Inaddition to the receptacles (9, 10) containing a first substance and asecond substance, the chamber can also contain a further, thirdsubstance which surrounds the receptacles.

FIG. 4 shows the device as in FIG. 1 with two chambers (4, 5) in planview, the chambers (4, 5) being connected to one another via a passagearea (6) that can be selectively opened.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 5, the device has two chambers (4, 5),said chambers being connected to one another via a passage area (6) thatcan be selectively opened, and one of the chambers containing areceptacle (9).

FIG. 6 shows an embodiment with two chambers (4, 5) which are arrangedon a first portion (A) and which are connected to one another via apassage area (6) that can be selectively opened, and with a separatechamber (11) which is arranged on a portion (B), the chamber (11) notbeing connected to the other chambers via an area that can be opened. Inthe embodiment shown, the separate chamber (11) is designed so that itcan be detached from the rest of the device via a perforation (12). Theperforation (12) on the one hand permits, if appropriate, the completedetachment of the further chamber (11), while on the other hand it isintended to ensure that, when the further chamber (11) is opened bypulling off the cover foil, the entire outer foil is not pulled off. Thefoils forming the chambers are connected to one another in differentways in the areas (13, 14). Whereas the foils in the first area (14) aresealed securely together (hatched lines from left to right), they aresealed to one another in such a way that they are peelable in the secondarea (13) (hatched lines from right to left).

In FIG. 7, an embodiment of the device is shown in longitudinal sectionwith two chambers (4, 5), where one of the foils forming the devicecomprises a peelable outer layer area (13).

1. A device, comprising: a first chamber formed by a first foil and asecond foil; a closed first receptacle in said first chamber; a pouch;and a first selectively-openable passage area disposed between saidfirst chamber and said pouch, wherein said receptacle is openable byapplying pressure to said first foil and said second foil such that whenopened, a first substance in said first receptacle becomes available topass through said first chamber and said passage area into said pouch.2. A device according to claim 1, further comprising a second chamberfor receiving a second substance.
 3. A device according to claim 2,further comprising: a second selectively-openable passage area disposedbetween said second chamber and said first chamber; wherein said secondpassage area is selectively openable.
 4. A device according to claim 2,further comprising at least one receptacle in said second chamber.
 5. Adevice according to claim 2, further comprising a second portion havinga second portion chamber, wherein said second portion chamber receives asecond portion substance; and wherein said first chamber, said pouch,and said second chamber comprise a first portion of the device.
 6. Adevice according to claim 5, further comprising a separating regionbetween said second portion chamber and said chambers of said firstportion, wherein said separating region is not selectively openable. 7.A device according to claim 5, wherein said second portion chamberfurther comprises a separately peelable foil.
 8. A device according toclaim 7, wherein said separately peelable foil is resealable.
 9. Adevice according to claim 1, further comprising additional receptaclesin said first chamber.
 10. A device according to claim 1, wherein saidpouch is designed to receive a dispensing instrument.
 11. A deviceaccording to claim 1, further comprising a dispensing instrument,wherein said dispensing instrument is received in said pouch and asection of said dispensing instrument protrudes from said pouch.
 12. Adevice according to claim 1, wherein one of said first foil or saidsecond foil comprises a peelable outer layer area and an inner layerarea.
 13. A device according to claim 1, further comprising a secondportion having a second portion chamber, wherein said second portionchamber receives a second portion substance; and wherein said firstchamber and said pouch comprise a first portion of the device.
 14. Adevice according to claim 13, further comprising a separating regionbetween said second portion chamber and said first chamber of said firstportion, wherein said separating region is not selectively openable. 15.A device according to claim 13, wherein said second portion chamberfurther comprises a separately peelable foil.
 16. A device according toclaim 15, wherein said separately peelable foil is resealable.
 17. Adevice according to claim 1, further comprising a substance in saidreceptacle.
 18. A device according to claim 1, further comprising asubstance in said first chamber.
 19. A method of using a device,comprising: storing at least one free-flowing substance in a deviceaccording to claim 1; and dispensing said at least one free-flowingsubstance.
 20. A method of using a device according to claim 19, furthercomprising: storing a kneadable substance in the device; and dispensingsaid kneadable substance from the device.
 21. A method of dispensing amixture from a device, the device comprising: a first chamber formed bya first foil and a second foil; a closed receptacle containing a firstsubstance in said first chamber and openable by applying pressure tosaid first foil and said second foil; a pouch; a second substanceprovided in said first chamber or in a second chamber; and aselectively-openable passage area between said first chamber and saidpouch, said method comprising: applying pressure to said first foil andsaid second foil to open said receptacle; mixing said first substancefrom said receptacle with said second substance to form a mixture;transferring said mixture to said pouch via said selectively-openablepassageway; and removing at least a portion of said material from saidpouch, wherein said second chamber, when present, is connected to saidfirst chamber via a selectively-openable passage area.
 22. A methodaccording to claim 21, wherein said mixture is an agent for treating atooth surface.
 23. A method of making a storing and dispensing device,comprising: forming a first chamber with a first foil and a second foil;providing a closed receptacle in said first chamber; providing a pouch;creating a selectively-openable passage area between said first chamberand said pouch; and providing at least one substance in the device,wherein said receptacle is openable by applying pressure to said firstfoil and said second foil.
 24. A method of making a device according toclaim 23, wherein said at least one substance is a component of an agentfor treating a tooth surface.